Two villages, one Muslim and one Hindu, located next to one another in the Indian state of Bihar, have reconciled after many years of mistrust and antagonism. Residents of the towns of Malik Sarai who are predominantly Hindu, and the predominantly Muslim Moghalpura had seen hostilities between them increase, culminating last year in attacks, rioting and murder. But as reported in Gulf News India, policeman Kumari Anupam Singh decided that enough was enough and launched a program of joint peace marches and cricket matches. Then on Sept. 12, the two villages came together, with Muslims wearing Hindu garb and Hindus wearing Muslim skull caps. Muslims were welcomed into the Hindu village with hugs, showers of rose petals and sweet drinks.

Singh’s effective campaign to defuse the violence and increase understanding shows it is possible to resolve escalating conflict between Hindus and Muslims in Bihar, where state police reported more than 5,000 incidents of rioting and violence in the past six months.

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